After deliberating for most of the night (thanks, Mom / Cooking Light for the pain and inspiration), I have finally compiled my top ten list of comfort foods. It was harder than expected, but brought back some awesome memories. As a self-proclaimed “foodie,” these may not be the most amazing dishes I have ever tried (next blog?), but they mean something. And I could probably live off of them.

1) Mom’s mashed potatoes. A staple at every family holiday and they are perfect in every way.

2) Panzerotti from Gina’s in Mola di Bari, Italy. They’re kind of like fried pizza pockets, but better. They can also be stuffed with ricotta and cinnamon. So they’re a win-win sweet & savory situation.

3) Fried Dumplings. There’s never really a time when a fried dumpling isn’t delicious.

4) Pizza Diavola. This is my all-time favorite pizza. It’s basically just a cheese pizza with Italian salami, which is essentially pepperoni, except it’s not. It’s really only available in Italy and that’s awesome.

5) Tortellini al Brodo. This is weird. Tortellini in broth? I know. But I love soup and this was one of my favorite comfort meals in Italy, whether I made it at home or ordered it at a restaurant.

6) Chicken Enchiladas. Just because.

7) Bacon-Cheddar-BBQ Cheeseburger. I could possibly eat one of these three times a week. Maybe four.

8) Bread. Because when you’re having a bad day, nothing is better than stuffing yourself full of carbs. Spread with butter, covered with cheese & garlic, dipped in parmesan & olive oil, whatever.

9) French Fries. Only the breaded, extra crispy, dipped-in-bbq-sauce kind like from Spanky’s in D-town.

10) Cool Mint soft serve ice cream from Soft Stuff. An explanation for this is impossible. If you would like to try and understand, drive to Route 40 in Ellicott City and ask around.

1) Their story encompasses all elements of a perfect romance. Jacks sees Rose from afar, knows he can’t have her (You’re as likely to have angels fly out your arse as to get next to the likes of her). Rose is initially annoyed by Leo (This is my part of the ship! You leave!) They then fall headfirst into a forbidden, whirlwind romance (Mother looked at him as if he were a dangerous insect that must be squashed quickly; Your exertions below decks were no doubt exhausting). They fight (you’re so stupid, Rose!) They make up (I’ll never let go) Their love spans lifetimes (I’ll meet you at the clock…. when I’m a hundred and one).

2) Jack is a true renaissance man. He’s an artist, a rambling man, a free spirit. He is very well-educated in the climatology of arctic waters. He can ride a horse, he’s a great spitter, and he’s a phenomenal dancer. He also apparently understands the intricate workings of a large ship and knows exactly the way in which one would sink to the bottom of an ocean. I mean, c’mon, he knew there would be suction? The man’s a keeper.

3) They trusted each other completely. Which stems from the fact that they were literally madly in love. Because seriously only a crazy person would allow Rose-can’t-hold-an-ax-properly to hack into a two inch wide chain between his hands.

4) They transformed grave robber Brock “Treasure-Hungry” Lovett into a pensive gentleman with a soul. Just the memory of their love caused him to forget about the billion dollar necklace he had dedicated his life to and consequently inspired him to jump into a tugboat with Rose’s granddaughter (because we all know that’s what happened next).

5) They were the inspiration for “My Heart Will Go On.” Celine said it best.

6) No matter how many times we watch, we always think they will survive. Nobody wants young love to die. Especially after day one. As much as I hate to admit this, everybody has a little bit of eternal optimism in them. We talk about how stupid it was that he didn’t get on the damn door and debate the ways he could have fit, yet we watch it over and over again. It’s also why most of us turn the DVD player off after they hit the iceberg. Because we’d rather just remain in a state of denial where Jack & Rose hang off the front of the ship forever instead of freezing in the Atlantic.

“Go out into the world where your heart calls you. The blessings will come, I promise you that. I wish for you the insight to recognize the blessings as such, and sometimes it’s hard. But you’ll know it’s a blessing if you are enriched and transformed by the experience.”

“Maybe certain friendships aren’t meant to be saved. Maybe we’re meant to spend a certain part of our lives with certain people and then move on.”

I challenge you to find a song that is more beautiful than this one. Spoiler alert: you won’t. Because “Tupelo Honey” is perfection. Van Morrison, you are brilliant. Thank you for giving this to the world. And for making me believe in the ability of music to affect people in a way that is inexplicable.

You can take all the tea in china
Put it in a big brown bag for me
Sail right around the seven oceans
Drop it straight into the deep blue sea
She’s as sweet as tupelo honey
She’s an angel of the first degree
She’s as sweet as tupelo honey
Just like honey from the bee

You can’t stop us on the road to freedom
You can’t keep us ’cause our eyes can see
Men with insight, men in granite
Knights in armor bent on chivalry
She’s as sweet as tupelo honey
She’s an angel of the first degree
She’s as sweet as tupelo honey
Just like honey from the bee

You can’t stop us on the road to freedom
You can’t stop us ’cause our eyes can see
Men with insight, men in granite
Knights in armor intent on chivalry
She’s as sweet as tupelo honey
She’s an angel of the first degree
She’s as sweet as tupelo honey
Just like honey from the bee

all I want for Christmas is a cappuccino. America just can’t get it right and I am dying over here. something about it encompasses every bit of Italy that I love… the reminder to take a minute and enjoy something you love; the soul of a people in something tangible; and, of course, the rule that prohibits a capp being drunk post-11am is the very essence of the crazy Italian culture. it was my favorite morning tradition for so long and I just feel incomplete with out it (#firstworldproblems). maybe if I’m really good Santa will find a way to fit this in my stocking?